On International Women’s Day, Robert Biedro, Chair of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee, issued the following statement. “The European Parliament has made some significant steps towards achieving gender equality over the last twelve months. Parliament approved landmark rules to boost gender equality on corporate boards in November, and a deal was reached on binding pay transparency […]
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Violence against women and girls: EU sanctions 9 individuals and 3 entities
The European Council decided to impose restrictive measures on nine individuals and three entities in view of their role in committing serious human rights violations and abuses, particularly sexual and gender-based violence. Today’s action reaffirms the EU’s determination to promote and protect human rights around the world. The new listings include: two acting Taliban ministers for Higher […]
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While women’s rights are under attack on a global scale, the EU takes historic decisions
On the occasion of today’s International Women’s Day, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy declared the following: “On International Women’s Day, we think of the resilience and strength of women. Their resolve to stand up against injustice. Their dedication to protect others. Their unrelenting strive […]
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How data accelerates progress towards equality and narrows the gender gap
Violence against women is both a cause and a result of gender inequalities. EIGE’s new report for the Western Balkans and Turkey offers recommendations for combating violence against women. Details in the data Developing comprehensive data systems will bring us one step closer to permanently ending violence against women. The current lack of comprehensive, disaggregated […]
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Violence against women: European Parliament insists on ratification of the Istanbul Convention
The European Union must ratify the Convention on preventing and combating gender-based violence from 2021, according to a European Court of Justice ruling, Parliament insists. In a resolution adopted by 469 votes in favour, 104 against and 55 abstentions, the plenary stressed that the Istanbul Convention remains the international standard and the key instrument […]
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How to improve the legal response to the “invisible” victims of femicide
In recent weeks, killings of a woman or girl because of her gender (femicide) in a few EU Member States show the urgency to better respond to this phenomenon. Today EIGE publishes the report Improving legal responses to counter femicide in the European Union: Perspectives from victims and professionals. The report follows on EIGE’s package to […]
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Sexual orientation cannot be a reason to refuse to conclude a contract with a self-employed worker
Judgment of the Court in Case C-356/21 The Directive on equal treatment in employment and occupation, which covers a wide range of occupational activities, establishes a general framework for combatting discrimination based, inter alia, on sexual orientation. Between 2010 and 2017, a self-employed worker prepared audiovisual material, trailers and features for the promotional programmes of […]
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2023: a year for skills and inclusion
Social inclusion in education and skills development is taking centre stage in 2023, with the European Year of Skills running the agenda for the next months. A recent survey within the European Union and ten of its neighbouring countries, undertaken by Eurofound and the ETF, reveals not only the number of challenges faced by societies to address social inclusion, […]
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Iran: EU adopts Council conclusions and additional restrictive measures
The Council approved new conclusions on Iran, focusing in particular on: the unacceptable repression of the ongoing protests and the human rights situation, Iran’s military cooperation with Russia, including delivery of drones deployed by Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine, the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), as well as regional security. Furthermore, the Council added 20 individuals and one […]
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